Blanket with changeable thickness varying panels



my S, 3%? E. R. T. MARQUETTE 3,33L08 BLANKET WITH CHANGEABLE THICKNESS VARYING PANELS Filed Oct. 2l, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet l .My B8, E97 E. R. T. MARQUETTE 3,331,088

ET WITH CHANGEABLE THCKNESS VARYING PANELS BLANK 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 2l, 1965 m u Q w M T... on m 0 m E INVENTOR.

United States Patent Oilice Patented July 18, i967 3,331,08S BLANKET WETH CHANGEABLE THICKNESS VARYENG PANELS Edmond R. T. Marquette, B0. Box 709, Houma, La. 70360 Filed tlct. 2l, 1965, Ser. No. 500,412 9 Claims. (Cl. 5-334) ABSC'I 0F THE DISCLOSURE with or without `buttons and buttonholes, optional halfpanels at the foot end of the blanket and panel means respectively, and independent buttonin-g and slide fastenhalf-panels.

ing means for these The present invention relates to bed clothing such as, for example, mattress wrapping or covering sheets, top sheets, blankets, quilts and the like and pertains, more particularly, to a bed occupant cover, for example, a spread or, as is generally the case, a blanket for a double bed for two occupants wherein it is uniquely `designed and structurally adapted to better serve the needs and wishes of the individual occupants.

As is generally well known to persons conversant with ,the prior art to which the invention relates, blankets having thickness varying and warmth changing features are old and well known. Many and varied patents have been granted which pertain to a blanket which is distinguishable from commonly used `single ply blankets because of the fact that Iindividual half-sections of the blanket, generically speaking, can be structurally varied in keeping with the discretion and requirements of the bed occupants. It is common to the art to provide .a bed coverblanket or the like-Which is so made that it embodies selectively attachable and detachable component port-ions wherein one occupant can have two or more plies or thicknesses directly over him while the other occupant, not desiring the same result, may adjust the overlying portion of the blanket to achieve thickness or thinness desired and often depending on the temperature in the bedroom or physical condition of the occupants.

The foregoing information is intended to serve as a `general basis and background and to introduce the fact that it is an objective in the instant matter Ito improve upon prior `art bed clothing, particularly sheets and blankets, through the medium of an improved multiple ply cover wherein the overlapping plies are optionally and accordingly selectively usable and wherein, while the adopted form or embodiment is for double beds, it can nevertheless be used if desired, for a single bed.

It is also a matter of significance to take into consideration the fact that while bed occupants can, of course, place a spread atop a blanket and achieve overall warmth for the occupants therebeneath it -is sometimes too warm for one-half area or section 'and its occupant and, too cool for the other occupant. Then, too, when individual covers are used they sometimes are unintentionally yanked out of overlapping relationship. Accordingly, one of the features of the present invention is to provide, .generally speaking, a bed cover wherein one-half portion or area for each occupant is such that its thickness can be quickly and conveniently changed to .accommodate the two bed occupants and wherein a signicant objective is attained by providing each area, left or right, with a thickness increasing main panel, that is, a panel which is substantially lof an area commensurate with the half-area with which it is used and which has proper length and width dimensions and has marginal edge portions which can be lreadily ,attached and detached to meet the requirements of the situation at hand.

To the ends desired, the overall bed cover is so constructed that the two main panels can be applied and removed, can be individually partly folded down toward the foot of the bed and also, if desired, can be bodily lifted and swung either to the right or to the left of the individual user simply by unfastening one lengthwise marginal edge and leaving the other edge attached as will be later more fully understood.

A further objective is achieved by providing, in addition to the two quickly and readily applicable main panels, two half panels, one for the foot portion of each main panel and which is designated as a half panel due to the fact that it is approximately half the area of the main panel and is applied at and over the foot portion of the main panel and main cover so that it can be attached and detached on Ithe spot in a manner to meet the requirements of the user.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE l is a view in perspective which shows a bed, that is a Hollywood bed with mattress and box springs and, more importantly, with the improved bed cover constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention and including the main cover, the attachable and detachable elongated main thickness increasing panels, and the added foot warming half panels ancillary to the main panels;

FIGURE 2 is a section taken on the line 2 2 of FIGURE 1 with parts omitted and which is sutiably enlarged and foreshortened to stress certain of the details of the overall concept;

FIGURE v3 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken approximately on the plane of the line 3 3 of FIG- URE 4;

FIGURE 4 is a view in perspective similar to FIGURE l showing the main panel at the left in its normal ready- -to-use position with the bottom half panel folded partway back and with the main panel .at the right folded halfway down toward the foot area `and overlying the half panel which is fully fastened in place; and

FIGURE 5 is also a perspective view smaller than and similar in some respects to FIG. l but which shows the four attachable and detachable component parts or panels and how they are constructed and ready to be applied and removed to attain the selective covering results desired.

Referring rst to FIG. l the improved composite bed cover is self-contained with all the components or features associated and in position o-n a double bed A and wherein the mattress (box spring or the like) is denoted at B. Instead of showing the improved cover or blanket spread out and atwise, it is shown atop and marginally encompassing the mattress in ready-to-use position.

Starting now with the cover pre se (blanket, sheet, comforter or the like) it will be seen that it is denoted at 8 in FIG. 5. The usual upper or head end portion 10 is conformingly fitted down over the head of the mattress. The foot portion is denoted at 12 `and the longitudinal side edge portions are denoted at 14. The upwardly facing or top surfaces of the cover are distinguishable from an ordinary cover in that thickness varying components are attached atop and made a part of the same. The expression assises fastening means is used here to cover slide fasteners, buttons, eyelets and laces and equivalent ways of assembling and joining components of the composite cover or blanket together. The zone or area at the left constitutes the left half portion or area 13 and the corresponding one at the right as the righthand half-portion or area 15. These areas (FIG. are delineated at the median portion of the cover by two spaced parallel longitudinal tapes 16 and 18 which are stitched or otherwise connected and extend substantially the full length of the top of the blanket or cover and are provided on outwardly facing edges with track elements 20 and 22 to accommodate cooperable interlocking elements on the slide fastener tapes carried by the two thickness varying main panels 24 and 26. These panels (or extra plies) are iittingly made to cover their intended areas or zones 13 and 15 in a manner to assume the position and relationship shown best in FIG. l. Referring to FIG. 5 it will be seen that the foot end of each. of the fasteners 20 and 22 has a horizontal portion 28, that is, a sewn tape with track elements, Accordingly, when the two main cover panels 24 and 26 are laid atop the bed cover the track elements 30 and 31 on the tape means 52 are coordinated with the elements 22 and 28 so that when the slide is properly positioned, that is the slide 34, the right hand panel 26 is attached. The same is true for the left hand panel 24, that is, when the track elements 36 on the tape means 38 are coordinated with the elements 20 and 28 the inner edge of panel 24 is detachably and adjustably applied to blanket atop the Zone 13, Both panels are thus detachably mounted atop their respective areas or zones 13 and 1S. For more satisfactory retention purposes and results the outer tapes 40 and tracking elements 42 (both panels 24 and 26) are lined up with the outer tapes 44 and fasteners 46 along the longitudinal edge portions of the cover. Here too the tapes and fasteners extend around the end portion as at 48 to make sure that when the panels 24 and 26 are applied they are satisfactorily attached by way of their edges to the intended component portions of the overall blanket or cover 8. The slide fasteners which are used here are denoted at 50 in FIG. 5. While considering the two attachable and detachable main panels 24 and 26 it is desirable to also touch upon the half-panels, that is, the two individual foot panels which are denoted one at the left as at 52 in FIG. 5 and the other one at the right at 54, these panels being generally rectangular and of an area that when they are applied they assume the thickness increasing function illustrated in FIG. 1. To attain the end results desired, these foot panels are provided around the necessary two marginal edges 56 and 58 with slide fasteners to cooperate with component portions 60 and 61 provided on the side and foot end portions FIG. 5 of the primary blanket or cover 8. In addition to the zipper-type fasteners it will be noted that buttonholes are provided as at 62 and are separably connectible with buttons 64 which are accessibly available on the median top surface portions of the main panels 24 and 26. In addition and by providing extra buttons on the areas or zones 13 and 15 at the median portion thereof, that is, a pair of buttons as at 66, and another somewhat isolated button at 68, it is now permissible to utilize the buttonholes 7 0 at the upper or head edge portions of the panels making it possible to fold the panels 24 and 26 upon themselves frrst downwardly and then backwardly in the triple ply folded relationship and button-held position detailed in FIGURE 3. This means that the user can unfasten and fold the panel 26, for example and button and store it out of the way (as shown in FIG. 3) and when desired can unbutton straighten it out, fasten the zipper means again, and thus restore it to its full ranging position, shown in FIG. 1.

It is possible to completely detach the panels 24 and 26 and, if desired, to simply use the half-size foot panels 52 and 54 by attaching and buttoning the same in their intended places. In other words, the arrangement of component parts is such that the serviceability is quite versatile, makes it possible to have a number of plies or thicknesses (FIG. 3) wherein some live thicknesses or plies appear, including the ply 54, coordinate in a compact and desirably oriented and complemental manner.

It is submitted that a careful consideration ofthe specification in conjunction with the views of the drawing will enable the reader to obtain a clear and comprehensive understanding of the subject matter of the invention, the features and advantages, the manner in which the component parts are individually constructed and singly and collectively used. Accordingly, a more extended description is deemed to be unnecessary.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modiications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A self-contained bed cover, a double blanket for example, primarily for use atop a sheet-covered mattress of a conventional-type double bed for two occupants comprising: a single-piece overall convertible covering of launderable bed-clothing material having head and foot portions, respectively, and lefthand and righthand longitudinal overhanging edge portions, also embodying an intact left half-portion area for one occupant and corresponding intact right half-portion area for the other occupant, a rst thickness increasing main panel residingY and spread evenly atop and aligned with said `left half-portion area, a second thickness increasing `main panel residing atop and spread evenly over said right half-portion area, said panels conjointly serving to increase the warmth of the overall panel-equipped cover ing when in use and being singly and collectively usable in keeping with the discretions of each occupant of the bed, and quick separable and connectible fastening means releasably attaching prescribed marginal edge portions of said panels to complemental companion marginal portions ofthe respective half-portion areas.

2. The structure according to claim 1, and wherein said panels are basically the same in construction, each panel being substantially commensurate in plan dimension with the span of the area which is coverable thereby, the upper transverse marginal ends of said panels being free of positive physical connection with corresponding underlying end portions of the coacting end areas, and the bottom transverse marginal end portions and also the inward longitudinal edge portions of said panels being provided with attaching and fastening means.

3. The combination according to claim 2, and wherein said fastening means is also carried by the outward longitudinal edge portions of said panels and proximal and corresponding edge portions of said covering, whereby said panels can be used atop and in conjunction with said covering singly and collectively in keeping with the desires of the individual occupants, can or rolled halfway more or less toward the foot zone of each half-portion area, wholly detached and set aside, or optionally swung outwardly toward and in a position to overhang the outward sides of the covering without being bodily detached therefrom.

4.V The combination according to claim 3, and wherein said fastening means comprises zipper-type slide fasteners each including commonly known and attached tapes, separable and connectible track elements, and manually actuatable slides carried by their respectively cooperable track elements.

5. The combination according to claim 3, and wherein said fastening means comprises zipper-type slide fasteners eachv including commonly used tapes, separable and connectible track elements and manually actuatable slides be creased, folded carried by their respectively cooperable track elements, said covering having buttons mounted thereon at predetermined points intermediate the head and foot end portions, the upper free edge portions of said panels having buttonholes capable of being registered with and detachably joined to their cooperably oriented buttons.

6. The combination according to claim 4, and eXtra thickness increasing optionally attachable and detachable half-panels auxiliary but complemental, if desired, to said covering by itself or when said full panels have been applied and are, as is usually the case in fully extended use, and slide fastening means carried by outer marginal and bottom marginal portions of said half-panels and separably connectible to coacting oriented fastening means carried by coordinating marginal portions of covering.

7. The combination according to claim 6, and wherein each upper inward corner portion of each half-panel is provided with a single buttonhole, and also wherein an underlying median upwardly facing surface of each coacting thickness increasing main panel is provided with a single permanently attached button whose predetermined locale and functioning position is exactly matched with said single buttonhole, whereby to permit each corner portion to be separably buttoned down on the buttonequipped main panel with which it is cooperable.

8. Bed covering means Whose thickness can be increased or decreased at will comprising, in combination, a main blanket for use atop a sheet-covered mattress, and a thickness increasing main panel superimposed and spread evenly atop a predetermined upwardly facing surface of the then underlying blanket, said main panel being bodily applicable and removable, said panel having head and foot transverse marginal edges, and inner and outer longitudinal marginal edges, said head marginal edge being free of positive connection with the underlying head portion of said main blanket but being provided with buttonholes at its respective corner portions, both of said inner and outer longitudinal marginal edges and said intervening transverse marginal edge at the foot having self-contained quick separable fastening means, and oriented and coordinating surface portions of said main blanket having coacting panel holddown and fastening means whereby said panel can (l) be wholly spread out and attached to the underlying blanket (2) wholly and bodily detached or (3) one longitudinal edge portion unfastened and detached while the other outer marginal edge remains fastened and so that said panel can be flipped over to a temporary out-of-use but available position.

9. The combination accord-ing to claim 8, and wherein a median portion of said blanket is provided with a pair of oppositely located upwardly accessible buttons positioned and acceptably capable of accommodatingly buttoning and retaining said buttonholes when the user desires to unfasten the upper half-portion of the panel and fold it upon itself in a manner to uncover the corresponding underlying surface of said blanket.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,736,043 2/1956 Temple 5-334 2,789,292 4/1957 Budinquest 5-334 3,011,182 12/1961 Burks 5-335 3,072,776 1/ 1963 Quenneville 5-334 X DAVID I. WILLIAMOWSKY, Primary Examiner. A. CALVERT, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A SELF-CONTAINED BED COVER, A DOUBLE BLANKET FOR EXAMPLE, PRIMARILY FOR USE ATOP A SHEET-COVERED MATTRESS OF A CONVENTIONAL-TYPE DOUBLE BED FOR TWO OCCUPANTS COMPRISING: A SINGLE-PIECE OVERALL CONVERTIBLE COVERING OF LAUNDERABLE BED-CLOTHING MATERIAL HAVING HEAD AND FOOT PORTIONS, RESPECTIVELY, AND LEFTHAND AND RIGHTHAND LONGITUDINAL OVERHANGING EDGE PORTIONS, ALSO EMBODYING AN INTACT LEFT HALF-PORTION AREA FOR ONE OCCUPANT AND CORRESPONDING INTACT RIGHT HALF-PORTION AREA FOR THE OTHER OCCUPANT, A FIRST THICKNESS INCREASING MAIN PANEL RESIDING AND SPREAD EVENLY ATOP AND ALIGNED WITH SAID LEFT HALF-PORTION AREA, A SECOND THICKNESS INCREASING MAIN PANEL RESIDING ATOP AND SPREADING EVENLY OVER SAID RIGHT HALF-PORTION AREA, SAID PANELS CONJOINTLY SERVING TO INCREASE THE WARMTH OF THE OVERALL PANEL-EQUIPPED COVERING WHEN IN USE AND BEING SINGLY AND COLLECTIVELY USABLE IN KEEPING WITH THE DISCRETIONS OF EACH OCCUPANT OF THE BED, AND QUICK SEPARABLE AND CONNECTIBLE FASTENING MEANS RELEASABLY ATTACHING PRESCRIBED MARGINAL EDGE PORTION OF SAID PANELS TO COMPLEMENTAL COMPANION MARGINAL PORTIONS OF THE RESPECTIVE HALF-PORTION AREAS. 